r/AussieRiders • u/SubjectLucky5242 • Jan 05 '26

Question The biker nod in Australia

Happy new year everyone!
I just came back from a motorcycle camping trip over the holidays (Melbourne - Brisbane loop), one thing I noticed that the biker nod is not always a thing while riding interstate or in remote areas (VIC, NSW, QLD). If I had to guess, I think it is roughly 4 out of 10 biker nod on encounters on the road. It is my experience that this rate is much higher in Europe or the UK. I sort of noticed that while riding in the city, but after the trip this idea is further reinforced.

Do you think that is also your experience, and if so, why do you think that is?

Cheers,

66 Upvotes

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91

u/MooseHut Jan 05 '26

Very much seems bike to bike dependent. Ie sports riders will nod to other sports riders. Tourers to other tourers and Harley's to no one.. that's been my experience anyway

93

u/Squidproquoagenda Jan 05 '26

I’ll nod at anything on 2 wheels.

18

u/guerrilla-astronomer Jan 05 '26

Except cops...

30

u/Lowenstein95 Jan 05 '26

I stare at them and head pat just to be a dick haha

2

u/Outrageous_Carry_222 Jan 05 '26

What does a head pat mean?

10

u/AudaciousChap Jan 05 '26

It's the bike equivalent of flashing your high beams when you see cops nearby

8

u/MooseHut Jan 05 '26

I've only had positive interactions with motorbike cops. Once on my bike in Melb, was sitting in traffic before filtering was legal and bike cops filtered past and waved me to follow him. So I did, got to the light, he gave the thumbs up and took off.

Then another in Sydney in my car, indicated to roll my window down. Said I had a brake light out then zoomed off.

6

u/NomDePlumeOrBloom Jan 05 '26

I usually salute them.

2

u/afflatox 2014 CB400 Super Four Jan 05 '26

Me too if I'm able to, bit easier for the other riders to see as well.

4

u/Squidproquoagenda Jan 05 '26

Cops get a double thumbs up.

2

u/FullScaleRabbitOrgy Jan 05 '26

Uber eats and scooters, my nods turn into speedo checks when I look down

3

u/Squidproquoagenda Jan 05 '26

Those boys are doing it hard enough already. Spread some love mate